RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The State Board of Health has voted to revisit Virginia’s hotly debated abortion clinic regulations. The board voted 13-2 at a Thursday meeting attended by hundreds of opponents and proponents of the regulations established under the McDonnell administration. Dr. Marissa Levine, the new state health commissioner appointed by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, has recommended that the board amend the regulations. The affirmative vote would start a regulatory process that could take up to two years. The most controversial regulation in the package that took effect last year requires all abortion clinics to meet the same strict building standards as new hospitals. Abortion rights supporters say the requirement is designed to put existing clinics out of business. Abortion opponents say it’s intended to protect women’s health.
